Fear, Dashed Hopes and ‘Jugaad’: Indian Techies on H-1B Visa Curbs

The Quint speaks to some of those who are likely be affected by the possible changes in the US visa rules.

With the possibility of the US tightening H-1B visa rules, fear has gripped Indian techies. The Quint spoke to some of those likely to be affected and waded through social media to trace the panic and the dashed hopes.

The Panic-Stricken Voices

A legislation was recently introduced in the US House of Representatives, which calls for more than doubling the minimum salary of H-1B visa holders to $130,000. There’s also talk that US President Donald Trump may pass an executive order revising work visa rules.

Skim through the social media – and you come across alarmed techies who feel their plans of moving to the US may have taken a big hit.

The ‘Almost There’ Lot

The H-1B legislation changes will also affect students who have just landed jobs in the States and were to start off with F1 visas. They were to work using these visas until their companies filed for H-1B visas for them in April.

But if the required salary is more than doubled, many of them may not quality for the H1-B visa any more. An H1-B visa is a non-immigrant visa that lets US companies hire foreign employees for speciality roles.

The visa rule curbs will also hit those who are already working in the US. They may suddenly find themselves lacking the required criteria to renew their H-1Bs. Some have already cancelled plans to visit India in the next few days, afraid that they might not be allowed back in.

I know of one guy who had changed his mind. He thought of coming to India next week but he changed his mind.

Deepak DG, administrator of a Facebook group on US visas

Abandoning The American Dream

With uncertainty over getting a work visa, some are even considering giving up on their American dream altogether.

I have huge debts now. People go to the US thinking they can pay back the loans with this opt period and opt extension. If that ends, the US will no longer be an attractive destination for the students. They can come if they have the money or they are coming just to have some fun.

Suresh Kumar, F1 visa holder 

The Good Samaritans

There are also good Samaritans online who have written extensive explainer blogs and Facebook posts to answer the myriads of questions and to stop people from panicking.

The Naysayers

And then there is the optimistic bunch which is typing away how “all is well”. And that there is no way the bill will be passed.

Is Big Brother Watching?

Amid all this, rumours are going around about the US immigration department screening visa applicants’ social media activity. And this has only added to the swirling panic and confusion.

I travel to USA next week, and they are doing social media screening for all people who enter the US, So I basically don’t know how getting featured anywhere would impact my screening. I just don’t want to take any risks.

Tech student set to work in Silicon Valley in two weeks

There Is Always ‘Jugaad’

Amidst all this, not all hope is lost. Several Indians are optimistic that the revised system will actually be beneficial to them. And no, they don’t mean to come back to India and work, but they can actually use the loopholes in the bill to their advantage.